David Jolly hopes a more mature attitude will help Behemoth crack the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) at his third attempt next month.
Now a dual Group 1 winner, Behemoth will tackle SA’s premier sprint fresh off a third placing in the $5 million All-Star Mile at Moonee Valley on March 13.
The giant-sized SA galloper has enjoyed little luck in the past two renewals of The Goodwood, running second behind Despatch in 2019 and fourth last year behind Trekking.
“He was a bit headstrong early days and now… he knows his job,” the Strathalbyn trainer told Brett Davis on TAB Radio this week.
“As soon as he learned how to conserve his energy a bit more, that’s when he turned into the galloper we see now.
“He’s probably a horse that used to get a little worked up (and) it would probably take a little bit off him in the race.
“But now he’s quite a clever horse…”
After a tough run in the All-Star Mile, Behemoth made his first public appearance in a gallop at Strathalbyn last Sunday and will have a relatively easy time ahead of his Goodwood run.
“He’ll probably have another gallop on the weekend (or) early next week,” Jolly said.
“I’ll probably just give him two of three of them (and) at this stage… I’ll give him the one jump-out.
“It’s always a bit tricky, 1200m coming back from a mile. It’s not a conventional preparation (and) you’re always a little bit unsure quite where they’re at.
“He’s a big horse but he doesn’t need to be worked or anything like that. He carries that residual fitness.
“If you’re sensible about it and point him in the right direction… he does the rest for you.”
Behemoth is currently $4 favourite for The Goodwood.
IMAGE: Behemoth will run in The Goodwood for the third time next month.
